HONG KONG CHINA MEN’S XVs TAKE ON BRAZIL IN THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENT HELD AT KAI TAK

With all eyes on the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens’ move to the city’s new 50-000 seat Kai Tak Stadium from 28-30 March 2025, it is the Hong Kong China Men’s XVs representative team that will be first across the try-line at Kai Tak as they take on Brazil in the first international sporting event to be held at the Sports Park on Saturday 16 November at 4PM. 

The game will be held at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground (YSG). It is both a ticketed rugby test match (played between international fifteen-a-side rugby teams with world rankings at stake) and a chance for Hong Kong China Rugby, as for YSG hirers for the day, to test the venue as they introduce the city’s newest rugby ground to the city’s die-hard rugby fans.

“Hong Kong China Rugby is proud and excited to host the first ever international sports event at the Kai Tak Sports Park, and to showcase world-class rugby at the new Youth Sports Ground,” said HKCR Chairman Chris Brooke.

“Not only will it mark a suitably fitting occasion for our international visitors and fans from Brazil, but the game allows us to begin introducing the excitement of the Kai Tak experience to Hong Kong’s most loyal and dedicated rugby fans.”

While the fixed 3,000-person capacity event on Saturday will not quite reach the decibel levels of the 50,000-strong singing and dancing Hong Kong Sevens crowd in March, fireworks can be expected as Hong Kong China, ranked 23rd in the world, take on No. 26 Brazil in an intercontinental clash. 

The series is a vital part of Hong Kong China Rugby’s preparations to reach its first ever Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027. The winner of the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship (ARMC) will for the first time ever in 2025 have a direct route to the Rugby World Cup in Australia, joining already qualified Japan in representing Asia. Hong Kong China has won the last five consecutive Asia Rugby Championships.

As such, Saturday marks the kick-off to what promises to be a momentous year in the union’s 72-year history.

Hong Kong China Men’s Head Coach Andrew Douglas is excited at the opportunities ahead (both near and far) for the city’s dedicated rugby warriors.

“Playing the first rugby test match at Kai Tak is really special. We have talked a lot about it as a team. Once you do that, have that moment, it is something that no one can take away from you ever as a player,” said Douglas in a subtle call to the increasingly momentous milestones in the pipeline in the coming year.

Brazil won the opening tie of the two-match autumn international series by 23 points to 10 at Hong Kong Football Club on 9 November.

“These test matches against Brazil provide pivotal opportunities for the Hong Kong China Men’s squad to prepare for the Rugby World Cup qualification pathway in 2025. Playing this match at the Youth Sports Ground also presents a fantastic opportunity to promote the sport as a whole in a new state-of-the-art venue,” said HKCR CEO James Farndon.

“This weekend allows us to actively engage with fans across our community, welcoming feedback along the way as we count down to a hugely exciting Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in the main stadium in March.

“Finally, this is an invaluable opportunity to work alongside key government stakeholders, as we further familiarise our operations teams with staging events at Kai Tak” added Mr Farndon.

NOTES:

• Tickets are on sale now, priced at HK $100 (HK $50 for children under 12), from tickets.hkrugby.com
• To enhance the matchday experience, Kai Tak Sports Park is running a concession stand promotion for all paid ticketholders. As tickets are scanned into the venue each ticketholder will be presented with a HK $100 voucher, which can be redeemed when spending over HK $200 on food and non-alcoholic beverages in-stadium (i.e. spend HK $200 and pay HK $100 + voucher)
• A number of food and beverage options will be available at the 1/F concourse, featuring a refreshment store, supported by three remote kiosks
• A map of the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground can be viewed here
• Fans are advised that the most convenient way to reach the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground is by MTR. The venue is just a 5-minute walk from Sung Wong Toi MTR Station (Exit D), and fans can also reach the venue from Kai Tak MTR Station (Exit D)
• Over 50 youngsters, including those from the HSBC’s Try Rugby and Cathay’s Po Leung Kuk Tackling Life programmes, will take to the field for a rugby showcase at half time in the match
• A number of community groups will attend the match as guests of HKCR (in addition to students from HSBC Try Rugby Schools and Cathay’s Po Leung Kok Tackling Life programme). This includes secondary school students from Rugby For Good programmes, children and parents from the Society of the Deaf, children and parents from the NGO group the Home of Love and members of the Blind Union who will use audio transcribers for the first time in an international 15s match (having previously run this for the previous three Hong Kong Sevens tournaments
• At the conclusion of the match, Hong Kong China players will head over to the Grandstand to meet fans – who are invited to head to the front rows at the full-time whistle (please note that fans will not be allowed onto the field of play)